Guna Mola Panel Depicting Toucan with Botanical and Celestial Motifs

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The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1

By Dana Auctions LLC

May 16, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-05-16 11:00:00 2026-05-16 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Parker & Neal Mola Collection - Part 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/dana-auctions-llc/the-parker-neal-mola-collection---part-1-23111
The Parker-Neal Mola Collection Auction on May 16 presents a compelling selection of molas drawn from the renowned collection of Ann Parker and Avon Neal, co-authors of Molas: Folk Art of the Cuna Indians. This first offering has been thoughtfully curated to highlight some of the most interesting and visually striking examples from their extensive holdings. Dana Auctions LLC dana@danaauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  Panama (Guna Yala), circa 1970s 13.25 × 17 inches An exceptional mola panel worked in three layers of reverse appliqué, appliqué, and embroidery featuring a magnificent toucan perched on a horizontal branch, surrounded by lush botanical elements and celestial imagery. The composition demonstrates masterful integration of the monumental bird form with a richly populated natural setting. The central toucan dominates the field, its massive curved bill rendered in bold yellow and orange stripes with an elaborate interior showing turquoise zigzag patterning, dense embroidered line work in white, and a small white eye with red pupil. The head is filled with extraordinarily dense multicolored running stitch embroidery in concentric rows of pink, blue, green, purple, yellow, and orange, creating an iridescent effect. The bird's body displays brilliant rainbow-colored vertical bands — burgundy, blue, pink, white, orange, green, yellow, and lavender — each embellished with chevron embroidery in contrasting colors, creating exceptional textural richness. White appliqué feet with dense black chevron embroidery grip the perch, and the long tail feathers cascade downward in multicolored striped bands with chevron stitch detail. The surrounding field is filled with symbolic elements: a four-petaled flower in the upper left with an orange center containing cross-stitch detail and petals filled with alternating green and pink line embroidery; a blue tulip-form flower on a stem at center left with multicolored line fill; a large serrated leaf in the lower left outlined in green with dense chevron embroidery; a stylized tree or plant at right with yellow-outlined leaves filled with chevron embroidery; and a six-pointed star in the lower right corner containing a circular face with orange outline, white appliqué eyes, and dense spiral embroidery — possibly representing the sun or a spiritual guardian. Multicolored triangular appliqué elements in blue, pink, green, yellow, orange, and white are scattered throughout the burgundy ground, creating a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere. Worked on deep burgundy cotton ground with layers in black, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, magenta, purple, white, and turquoise. Exceptionally fine hand-stitching throughout with very tight stitch density. Dense embroidered fill patterns with extraordinary chevron and running stitch work creating texture across virtually every element. Complex curved cutwork in the toucan's body and bill. Strong compositional control with the central bird balanced by flanking botanical motifs. Single panel on burgundy cotton ground with red backing visible. This piece exemplifies the tradition of naturalistic bird representation in Guna mola art, demonstrating exceptional technical virtuosity and a richly layered symbolic vocabulary combining zoological, botanical, and celestial imagery. Provenance: From the Parker & Neal Collection

  Condition

  Minor wear consistent with age. Vibrant color. In house Flat Rate US Shipping of $15 for 1 -10 molas, $5 each additional 10 molas. Insurance is additional and required.
• Shipping Info

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